Following a seven-year construction period, the Studio Museum in Harlem will unveil its fresh, 82,000-square-foot structure this coming November.
Studio Museum in Harlem Set to Reopen After Seven-Year Closure
The Studio Museum in Harlem, a leading institution dedicated to showcasing art by African Americans, members of the African diaspora, and artists influenced by Black culture, is set to reopen on November 15, 2025. The museum, located at 144 W 125th St in Harlem, will welcome visitors with free community day activities, including performances, games, giveaways, and DJ sets.
The reopening of the museum marks a major milestone for the city, with Laurie Cumbo, New York City Cultural Affairs Commissioner, expressing her support for the institution. Thelma Golden, Ford Foundation Director and Chief Curator of the Studio Museum in Harlem, has also expressed her excitement about the museum's return.
The new seven-floor, 82,000-square-foot space for the museum was designed by Adjaye Associates and executive architect Cooper Robertson. The expanded exhibition spaces and public programming will solidify the museum's role as a nexus for contemporary Black artists.
Visitors can look forward to a rotating installation of works from the museum's permanent collection, which consists of over 9,000 pieces dating back to the 1800s. The collection includes about 2,000 works by prominent artists such as Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, Elizabeth Catlett, Betye Saar, and many others.
In addition to the permanent collection, the museum will offer a variety of programmes for all ages. Studio Sundays will include drop-in art-making workshops, guided family tours, gallery talks, and storytimes.
The Studio Museum in Harlem is not alone in its commitment to featuring works by African-descended artists. The Brooklyn Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) also present significant exhibitions and collections featuring these artists. The Brooklyn Museum is known for inclusive shows that celebrate diverse cultural expressions, including works by Black artists. The Met has hosted notable exhibitions such as "Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," highlighting Black menswear as art and culture, demonstrating its commitment to representing Black artists and cultural themes within its broader offerings.
Admission prices for adults at the Studio Museum in Harlem are suggested at $16, and $9 for seniors. The museum is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11am to 6pm.
The Studio Museum in Harlem is fostering generations of artists from the African diaspora and driving a global transformation while remaining deeply rooted in its community. The Commissioner described the Studio Museum as a pillar of the city's cultural landscape. Tom Lloyd's work will be presented at the museum, who was the subject of the Studio Museum's inaugural exhibition in 1968.
The reopening of the Studio Museum in Harlem promises to be a significant event in the city's cultural calendar, offering visitors a unique opportunity to engage with art that reflects the rich diversity of the African diaspora.
In the heart of Harlem, following the reopening of the Studio Museum on November 15, 2025, feverish art enthusiasts can enjoy a tribute to Black culture as they explore the museum's new home-and-garden, a seven-floor space showcasing a permanent collection of over 9,000 pieces from artists such as Romare Bearden, Jacob Lawrence, and Elizabeth Catlett. The museum's reopening marks a lifestyle transformation for local residents and global visitors alike.
